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Thoma
Carl Thoma
Rank #726
UNITED STATES•Finance & Investments•Private equity

Carl Thoma

Net Worth
$5.689B
0% (24h)
Carl Thoma, a highly respected figure in private equity, is a co-founder of Thoma Bravo, a leading private equity firm specializing in software and technology investments. Born in 1949, Thoma's estimated net worth is $5.7 billion, a testament to his successful career. He is known for pioneering the 'buy-and-build' investment strategy, which has become a cornerstone of Thoma Bravo's approach. His career began in the private equity sector, where he gained significant experience and developed a keen eye for identifying promising companies. He is an alumnus of Oklahoma State University and Stanford Business School. Thoma and his wife established the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation, which supports arts and education. He is also co-proprietor of Van Duzer Vineyards, showcasing his diverse interests. The foundation has focused on sponsoring 'full ride' scholarships for rural students.

How to read Carl Thoma's profile

Public net-worth figures are estimates. They combine observable inputs—typically listed equity, disclosed transactions, and market prices—with editorial judgment where filings are incomplete (for example, private holdings, debt, or cross-holdings). For Carl Thoma, we anchor the narrative to Private equity and Private equity, then update the headline number as markets move. The chart on this page is meant to show trajectory, not a certified balance sheet.

When you see $5.689B alongside global rank #726, interpret it as our best synthesis of widely cited ownership and price signals—not a claim about cash on hand. Estimates can diverge from other publishers because of different treatment of options, trusts, charitable vehicles, or illiquid assets. We document the general approach in methodology and welcome corrections via corrections.

Country (UNITED STATES) and career milestones on this page are curated for reader context; they should be verified against primary sources when used for research. Editorial metadata for this profile is refreshed on a rolling basis, with deeper audits at least annually (last noted cycle: 2026).

Looking for depth? When available, the dossier and timeline sections below add long-form context beyond the headline number—prioritize those modules when evaluating claims about strategy, controversies, or philanthropic commitments.

The Full Dossier

Early Life and Education

Carl Thoma was born in 1949. He grew up in the panhandle of Oklahoma. He received a Bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from Oklahoma State University in 1971 and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1973.

Rise to Success

Thoma began his career at First Chicago Equity Group. In 1980, he co-founded Golder Thoma & Co., which later became Golder Thoma & Cressey, and then Golder Thoma Cressey Rauner. He split from the firm in 1998 to create Thoma Cressey Equity Partners. In 2008, Thoma, along with Orlando Bravo, formed Thoma Bravo. Since then, Thoma Bravo has grown to manage over $181 billion in assets. Thoma is recognized as a pioneer of the 'buy-and-build' strategy.

Key Business Strategies

Thoma Bravo focuses on investing in software and technology-enabled business service sectors, using a 'consolidation' or 'buy and build' investment strategy. The firm targets control investments in companies with strong business franchises and experienced executives.

Philanthropy

Thoma and his wife, Marilynn, established the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation in 1986. The foundation supports arts and education initiatives through art grants, scholarships, fellowships, and endowments. In 2024, they launched the Thoma Scholars program at Oklahoma State University, providing full-ride scholarships to students from rural areas.

Career Timeline

2024

Launched Thoma Scholars Program

Established a scholarship program at Oklahoma State University.

2008

Co-founded Thoma Bravo

Formed a software-focused private equity firm with Orlando Bravo.

1998

Founded Thoma Cressey Equity Partners

Continued his private equity ventures.

1980

Co-founded Golder Thoma & Co.

Established a private equity firm in Chicago.

Philanthropic Impact

Education$2B

Thoma Scholars Program

Provides full-ride scholarships to students from rural areas.

Key Business Ventures & Holdings

CompanyStakeValue
SailPoint Technologies Holdings Inc.95.24%$9.7M
Dynatrace Inc.10.00%$5.6M
SolarWinds Corp10.00%$0.98M

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life and Education

Carl Thoma was born in 1949. He grew up in the panhandle of Oklahoma. He received a Bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from Oklahoma State University in 1971 and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1973.

Rise to Success

Thoma began his career at First Chicago Equity Group. In 1980, he co-founded Golder Thoma & Co., which later became Golder Thoma & Cressey, and then Golder Thoma Cressey Rauner. He split from the firm in 1998 to create Thoma Cressey Equity Partners. In 2008, Thoma, along with Orlando Bravo, formed Thoma Bravo. Since then, Thoma Bravo has grown to manage over $181 billion in assets. Thoma is recognized as a pioneer of the 'buy-and-build' strategy.

Key Business Strategies

Thoma Bravo focuses on investing in software and technology-enabled business service sectors, using a 'consolidation' or 'buy and build' investment strategy. The firm targets control investments in companies with strong business franchises and experienced executives.

Philanthropy

Thoma and his wife, Marilynn, established the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation in 1986. The foundation supports arts and education initiatives through art grants, scholarships, fellowships, and endowments. In 2024, they launched the Thoma Scholars program at Oklahoma State University, providing full-ride scholarships to students from rural areas.

Data Sources & Methodology

Figures for Carl Thoma are synthesized from the sources below and cross-checked against our net worth methodology. Estimates may lag market moves; see corrections to report discrepancies.

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